Public health officials are urging consumers to throw away any Totino's or Jeno's brand frozen pizzas that contain pepperoni in the wake of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

The manufacturer, General Mills, has recalled all frozen pepperoni pizzas produced at their Wellston, Ohio, plant. More than 120 million of these pizzas have been distributed since the beginning of July.

Public health investigators in Tennessee and elsewhere have linked a growing number of people infected with E. coli O157:H7 to pizzas produced at the Ohio plant. The investigation is ongoing, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies are working with General Mills to identify the source of the problem.

To date, at least 21 lab-confirmed cases have been identified in 10 states -- Tennessee, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota. At least eight1 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.

"If you have any of these pizzas in your freezer, we recommend you throw them out," said William E. Keene, Ph.D., M.P.H., senior communicable disease epidemiologist at the Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division. "No cases have been reported in Oregon or other Western states, but this is a national recall. We don't want anyone to risk serious illness."

Anyone wanting more information about the recall can call General Mills at 1-800-949-9055 or check the General Mills Web site.

E. coli O157 infections can cause mild to severe intestinal illness, including bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps. Some patients may suffer serious and potentially fatal kidney damage. Antibiotic therapy is of no value for most patients, and may increase the risk of complications, according to Keene.

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1.The news release originally said "At least 10 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported." It was corrected Nov. 2, 2007.